STARGAZING
1054 Words
Aliana’s POV — First Date: Part One
Fast forward — Bookstore & Stargazing Night
The next evening, the world felt quieter, intimate in contrast to the gala chaos. Aliana arrived at the bookstore, where Atticus was already waiting, pretending to browse but clearly watching her every step.
“What’s the plan tonight?” she asked, smiling softly.
“You’ll see,” he replied with a grin, eyes twinkling with mischief. “But first, a little literary chaos.”
And just like that, the night — their first official date — began, with books, starlight, laughter, and the unspoken promise of something more.
The bookstore smelled like parchment and possibility, the faint musk of old pages and fresh paper mingling in the quiet corners. Atticus wandered beside her, pretending to examine a shelf of mystery novels, but she caught him glancing at her with a grin that made her stomach flutter.
“Pick something for me,” he said suddenly, nudging her gently.
She raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me? Are you seriously letting me choose a book for you?”
“Of course,” he replied, mock-serious. “I trust your taste more than my own judgment on anything these days.”
She smirked, flipping through titles. Her fingers landed on a slim fantasy novel with intricate embossing. “This one,” she said, holding it up. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Atticus took it, examining the cover. “You’re picking a fantasy for me? Trying to trap me into daydreaming about dragons and impossible love stories?”
“Maybe,” she said with a mischievous glint. “But you’ll thank me.”
Then he handed her a hardcover on astronomy, a little dog-eared at the corners. “And this is for you. Figured we could… you know, stargaze later and see if you agree with the constellations’ politics.”
She laughed softly, heart light. “You remembered I love stars.”
“I notice things,” he said, brushing a curl from his eyes, “especially the things that make you smile.”
---
Later — Stargazing
A blanket spread over the cool grass on a quiet hill outside the city, the skyline glowing faintly behind them. Atticus lay on his back, hands behind his head, tossing out chaotic theories about constellations and planets.
“And obviously,” he said, “Orion totally would have stolen the show at any courtly ball. He’s dramatic. The center of attention. Can’t trust the guy with a belt of stars.”
Aliana rolled her eyes, laughing. “You make constellations sound like celebrities.”
“You can’t deny it,” he teased, wiggling a finger at her. “And Betelgeuse? Total drama queen. Supernova-level diva.”
She leaned back on her elbows, watching him grin at her in the starlight. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” he said softly, voice lowering just enough to make her heart skip, “but I like it when you laugh at me.”
She hesitated a moment, then admitted quietly, “I… I think I’m slowly going to get back into dance. On my own terms. Less pressure, more me.”
Atticus’s head turned toward her immediately, eyes shining. “Theatre shows?”
“Yes,” she said, softly confident now. “I’m auditioning. Just… exploring. For me.”
He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “There is nothing you’ll go through alone… if you’ll have me.”
Her pulse jumped. His hand in hers felt like a promise. She squeezed back.
“Atticus…” she breathed, but he didn’t answer — he had other plans.
---
He rose suddenly, kneeling in the grass like a dramatic, chaotic suitor from one of her books. Aliana lifted a brow, her lips twitching.
“What are you doing now?” she asked, a mix of amusement and curiosity in her voice.
Atticus held out a book in both hands, presented like a proposal ring. The cover shimmered faintly in the moonlight. The Divine Fracture.
“I… uh… Aliana,” he said, voice mock-serious, “will you be my girlfriend?”
She blinked, incredulous. “Wait… are you serious?”
“Yes,” he said, grinning cheekily. “But also, think of it as an epic romantic gesture. Full fantasy vibes.”
Her chest warmed. She laughed, shaking her head, then grabbed the book from him, hugging it like she’d been waiting for it her whole life. “Yes! Of course, I’ll be your girlfriend!”
Atticus’s eyes widened in playful mock-horror. “Did you mean that… to me?”
She tilted the book toward him with a smile. “Or the book?”
“Both, of course,” she said, leaning closer to him in the starlit grass.
Atticus laughed, pulling her into a gentle hug, letting the moment linger. He pressed his forehead lightly against hers. “I could get used to this.”
“Me too,” she whispered back, heart still hammering, mind spinning, and secretly thrilled at how perfectly chaotic and sincere he was.
And in that quiet night under the stars, both of them knew — this was just the beginning.
...
Aliana held The Divine Fracture against her chest, eyes bright. “This… this is exactly what I’ve always wanted. It’s perfect,” she murmured, almost to herself.
Atticus raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk forming. “Once again… me or the book?”
She glanced at him, then back at the book, weighing the options with mock seriousness. Her lips pressed into a small, playful grimace.
“The book,” she admitted finally, holding it a little higher as if declaring victory.
Atticus laughed, mock horror on his face. “The book? After everything I just did?!”
She rolled her eyes, still smiling. “Well… I did say I’d be your girlfriend. But this… this is a special case.”
He shook his head, amused and charmed in equal measure, letting out a low chuckle. “Fine, fine. The book wins this round. But don’t think I’ll forget, ballerina.”
Aliana’s grin widened, her shoulder brushing against his as they settled back on the blanket, the night stretching out quietly around them. The teasing was effortless, intimate, and just the right kind of electric to leave her heart fluttering.
- Writer
